My honest opinion: Entry 1: Topic: Nikitas Battle of the Bands

I arrived at Nikitas for the Battle of the Bands at 19:00pm on Wednesday evening the 6^th of June to a very well set up table for the judging panel, set with platters and looked very professional annnnnnnnd that was about it, except for the MC who was cool. I enjoyed him. I am really proud to be working with Stage 24 who has put this competition together. Very professional but like “Murphy” would have it there were more negative points to the first round than positives.

Im writing this blog to explain that you CANNOT go on a stage if you are NOT prepared.

The first “band” came on called 6 Days Remaining and blew people’s minds in the worst way possible. They literally put their band together 6 days before they got on that stage. Guys you DO NOT stop playing half way through a song at any point. If the batteries on your mike "flicker Red", make sure there is another mike on hand. I was seriously disappointed seeing that. I didn’t make my night.

Then the saviour of the night came on stage and blew people’s minds with his phenomenal show, onstage presents and well written acoustic percussive playing. Tombstone Pete has to, in my opinion, be the most original, most talented guy I’ve seen in Cape Town. I’m definitely a fan. Check out his Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/tombstonepetemusic.

2^nd Band and round 1 winner, Thank You Johnny, was by far the better band on the Nikitas stage. Just one or two details that need to be worked on, they know what I’m on about. Tune your guitar’s bro’s.

3^rd “Cover Band” was The G-Stringers, If you going to do covers guys then make it your own. I kept saying to myself, “this is a competition guys, be original man”. After every single song I hoped it would be something original, but to my disappointment, another version of Van Morrison’s Brown Eyed Girl. Then what irritated me lots was the fact that they were asked to play an extra 10 minutes, not that it helped, but again, its a competition guys, every slot is 30 – 35 min. Its just not fair on the rest of the bands that have entered.

It was so difficult to judge bands fairly having to look past the terrible sound. I actually felt sorry for the guys on stage. Luckily one or two didn’t pick up on it but damn dude, as a sound engineer that’s been in the business for so many years I heard more excuses rather than finding solutions and fixing it. I must also just add that the front-of-house rig will be upgraded hugely for the 27^th of June which is round 2.

Stage 24 is an amazing company and The “Gareth James” brand is proud to be working with them. They are punctual and professional and for a brand new company they have huge hearts and are so driven to make big things happen for their artists. I am really really looking forward to the rest of this awesome competition they have put together.

Please feel free to comment on my blog. Be fully honest. If you don’t agree with me I completely understand but remember that honesty is always what you going to read on this blog and you know what they say, “The truth hurts”.

Stay tuned for more blogging to come.

Cheers for now!!!